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NBA Player Power Rankings: There’s A New No. 1 Player

By Maxwell Ogden

November 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots on a technical during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots on a technical during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

Position: Power Forward
Age: 21 (8/2/1995)
Experience: 2nd Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .502/.390/.780
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.9 MPG, 21.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.9 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 1.1 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.1 3PM

In just his second season, Kristaps Porzingis is already looking like a legitimate star. He’s been playing without the knowledge of how dominant he can be, but since being held to three points by the Houston Rockets, he’s averaged 23.6 points on a slash line of .526/.393/.821.

It’s no coincidence that New York was 1-4 before that 10-game stretch and is currently 6-4 during it.

Porzingis has scored at least 20 points in seven of his past 10 appearances, including a 35-point eruption during a win over the Detroit Pistons. This past week, he started off with 19 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes during a 104-94 victory over Paul Millsap and the Atlanta Hawks.

After Brandon Jennings challenged him to get 30, Porzingis went off for 31 points and nine rebounds on 13-of-23 shooting during a 107-103 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Porzingis is playing with confidence and the Knicks are winning because of it. One could argue Carmelo Anthony has been the better player over the course of 14 games, but Porzingis has been the catalyst to New York’s turnaround.

Porzingis’ tremendous tear has earned his Top 20 ranking, but don’t sleep on Anthony. Both men could be in the Top 20 soon enough..